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Protecting rights

Disability service providers in Victoria are required to take human rights into consideration whenever they make a decision.

Service delivery principles for disability services

There are service delivery principles for Victorian disability services that specifically relate to human rights, they include:

Maximising the choice and independence of people with a disability so they can achieve their individual goals

Providing services in a manner that respects the privacy and dignity of the person with a disability

Acknowledging the important role families have in assisting their family member to realise their potential.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) represents a fundamental change to how supports for people with disability are funded and delivered. The full scheme commenced in Victoria on 1 July 2019.

NDIS services are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission. The NDIS Commission aims to uphold the rights of people with disability, including the right to dignity and respect and to live free from abuse, exploitation and violence. These aims, together with the principles for delivery of services in Victoria are in keeping with Australia's commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Laws that protect the rights of people with a disability

There are specific laws that protect the rights of people with a disability, they include:

Victoria introduced new legislation amending the Disability Act in 2017 to strengthen oversight of the disability sector and to promote a culture of zero tolerance of abuse of people with disability in Victoria.

The Disability Abuse Prevention Strategy outlines Victoria's zero tolerance approach to abuse. It provides a guide for individuals, service providers and the sector to understand promote and enhance safeguards and to prevent abuse. The Strategy recognises the role that service providers and the disability sector have in stopping abuse from happening and has a key focus on building the capacity of people with disability to assert their rights and to act in their own interest.

Implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The Implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - a resource for services providers publication has been developed by the Senior Practitioner – Disability to assist people with a disability, their families and carers to become more familiar with the rights and obligations as set out in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It explains these rights and obligations in an easy-to-understand way, and highlights some implications for policy and practice within disability services. It also provides some guidance about practical measures support services might take to give effect to these rights and obligations.